American folk witchcraft refers to the practice and beliefs of witchcraft that have developed in the United States, drawing on a combination of European witchcraft traditions brought by settlers and indigenous spiritual practices. It is a diverse and varied form of witchcraft that reflects the cultural and regional differences found in the country. One of the key features of American folk witchcraft is its emphasis on practical magic and folk remedies. Practitioners often rely on herbs, charms, and rituals to heal physical ailments, protect against evil spirits, and bring about desired outcomes. This practical focus sets American folk witchcraft apart from other forms of witchcraft that may place greater emphasis on rituals and spellcasting. Another important aspect of American folk witchcraft is its connection to nature and the land.
Appalachian granny magic involved everyday household items and chores. And were not elaborate rituals but practical routines. For example, a horseshoe was hung over the doorway to prevent evil spirits from entering. This practice most likely comes from the Irish immigrants, as they believed iron warded off witches and fairies. Another way to keep spirits at bay was to sprinkle salt over the hearth fire or wear a rabbit’s foot. To this day, some people still carry a rabbit’s foot on a keychain for good luck.
Also to be a ceremonial magician you also need a strong faith in the Christian gods, and again I think a form of spiritual violence when used to command and threaten spirits in the way it s laid out. It s easily accessed at the liminal times such as dawn, dusk, midnight, Bealtainn and Samhuinn, and places such as fog, door steps, thresholds, on hills, near bogs and water and many other ways such as divination and techniques such as second sight etc.
Another important aspect of American folk witchcraft is its connection to nature and the land. Many practitioners draw on indigenous spiritual practices and incorporate elements of Native American beliefs into their craft. They may work closely with spirits of the land, animals, and plants, seeking guidance and wisdom from the natural world.
Folk magic, witchcraft, whats the difference ?
We get asked “what is a Folk Practitioner or what is folk magic?” on many occasions. we also get asked What is the difference between what you do and what a witch does? Is it witchcraft? Are you religious? Do you worship a lord and lady or speak to the de’il? Do you follow the immanent and emanant mysteries of your gods? Do you worship nature? Do you bang your drums and dance around ?
This is no fault of anyone. Folk practices have been adopted in a lot of modern magico-religious approaches. This has caused a lot of confusion when discussing what folk practitioners do and how it differs from Wicca, Traditional Witchcraft, shamanism, Druidry etc. In my mind, the difference is really rather big. I’m writing this as a kind of FAQ to help explore some of the differences and why they are important and to maybe help those who don’t know. It’s by no means exhaustive and I invite comment on these ideas from others.
First off, folk magic are practices of the people – the folk. Folk practices as you may imagine are very old. Very old and adaptable. Very much like people and their culture. Scottish folk practices have their roots far back in an older way of life. Scottish community and folk practices developed over time from the melting pot of Gaelic, Norse, Pictish, Angles, Norman and Saxon influences. All of these different influences had, and still do have, an impact on what folks did on a day to day basis. I have written about how Scottish tradition has been appropriated by pagan, druidic and witchcraft in another couple of posts. A story about it here and a more in depth examination of it here which provides some deeper context to what is to follow.
Alexander Carmichael – the writer of the Carmina GadelicaWe are very lucky to find that a lot of this information has been preserved in literal format by folks such as Alexander Carmichael, Marion McNeil, Bates and Reginald Scott and others. Though this isn’t without its own form of appropriation and harm. There is a huge collection of information that discusses seasonal practices, songs, prayers, festivals, celebrations and day to day things people believed in and carried out. One beautiful example of folk practice are the songs (known as a rann’s) sung to plants before picking them, on awakening, reaping, seed sowing, sleeping etc.
So, how is this not Wicca, Traditional Witchcraft or Druidry et al? First off these are newer traditions druidry created from the antiquarian revival in the 1800’s Wicca from the 1900’s, traditional witchcraft from about the same time. All these worldviews have a tendency to be accompanied by a set of “beliefs” defined by their creators. Some witches are religious such as in Wicca with the Lord and lady. Others, such as Trad witches may involve the Gnostic mystery’s of lucifer or honour a spirit such as the Bucca and look at the seasonal wheel as different representations of this figure and involve themselves in the immanent and emanant mysteries. Druids believe in a variety of ideas but most experience a pantheon of gods and goddesses. All of these different traditions do borrow from Scottish folk magic and merge it into their systems in some way or another but again they are appropriating and borrowing from a devastated culture due to English imperialism and recreation it to suit there own understanding.
In American folk witchcraft, there is also a strong tradition of community and intergenerational knowledge. Practices and beliefs are often passed down through families or within close-knit communities, with each practitioner adding their own unique experiences and methods to the tradition. This emphasis on oral transmission and shared wisdom helps to preserve and evolve the craft over time. Despite its historical association with persecution and misunderstanding, American folk witchcraft has experienced a resurgence of interest in recent decades. Modern practitioners seek to reclaim and revitalize these traditions, often blending them with contemporary occult practices and new spiritual philosophies. This has led to a rich and diverse tapestry of American folk witchcraft today. Overall, American folk witchcraft reflects the cultural and regional diversity found in the United States. It is a practical, nature-based form of witchcraft that draws on traditions brought by settlers and incorporates indigenous spiritual practices. With its emphasis on community, intergenerational transmission, and connection to the land, American folk witchcraft continues to evolve and thrive in the modern world..
Reviews for "The Power of Intuition in American Folk Witchcraft"
1. Jane - 1 star - I was really disappointed with "American folk witchcraft". The book claimed to provide information and guidance on traditional American witchcraft practices, but instead, it was full of inaccurate information and vague explanations. It felt like the author didn't do enough research or understand the subject matter thoroughly. I was looking for a book to deepen my knowledge on the topic, but this one only left me frustrated and confused.
2. Mike - 2 stars - I found "American folk witchcraft" to be a shallow and superficial representation of the subject. The author seemed more interested in creating an aesthetic and romanticized version of American witchcraft rather than providing any meaningful and practical information. The book lacked in-depth explanations and felt more like a collection of random anecdotes and folklore stories. I was hoping for a more comprehensive and educational resource, and unfortunately, this book fell short of my expectations.
3. Sarah - 1 star - "American folk witchcraft" was a complete waste of time for me. The information provided in the book was far too basic and didn't offer anything new or insightful. It felt like the author was regurgitating commonly known facts without providing any fresh perspectives or experiences. The lack of practical exercises or spells was also disappointing, as that was something I was specifically looking for. Overall, this book was a letdown, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone genuinely interested in learning about American witchcraft.